Antigone: Important Plot and Character Developments

Creon

Creon is intruduced for the first time in the sequel to Oedipus. Creon believes he can be a better leader than Oedipus. Creon is arrogant and his hubris makes him believe he can interpret what the gods would think of his actions. Creon wants to set harsh examples for the people of Thebes.

200

Character Development of 2 Sisters

The Contrasting Character traits of Antigone and her sister Ismene are evident: Ismene is fearful of the law, while maintaining the idea that she loves her family, while Antigone fearlessly opposes the law and defends her family's honor at all costs.

202

Return Characters: Chorus

The Chorus returns much older and much wiser. The Chorus is one of the first characters, or groups of characters to bring up the them of wisdom in old age.

256

The Guard

The Guards are loyal to their current leader, but scared of the fact that Creon believes everyone is out to get him.

450

Guard Character Development

Now that the Guard has found the true culprit, he is relieved because he assumes Creon will stop blaming him.

506

Antigone Quarrels with Creon

Antigone cleverly uses Creons supposed love of the gods to agitate him and hopefully get her point across. Character Development: Around this time we realize that Antigone is becoming increasingly dramatic about her cause.

Dec 4th, 0622

Ismenes Motives revealed

At this point in Ismene and Antigones argument (or Episoda) Ismene reveals that her motive in suddenly pronouncing her devotion is fear of losing her only remaining family member. Her motives are selfish.

Dec 4th, 0720

Enter Haemon

Haemon first presents himself as a loyal son. After a lengthy lecture from Creon about loyalty Haemon humours him with an equally lengthy response.

Dec 4th, 0824

Haemon's true stance revealed

In this Episoda, Creon begins to argue with Haemon which reveals that Haemon does, in fact, have ideas of his own about his father's leadership and what the gods expect of them.

Dec 4th, 0960

Another Episoda

The Chorus now speaks with the dramatic, emotional Antigone about her motives for dying for her cause.

Dec 4th, 1000

HAMARTIA ANTIGONE

Antigone becomes so caught up in her cause due to her dramatic and emotional nature. Her hamartia, or tragic flaw is evident in her excessive emotion.
Creon sums it up with these memorable words:
".......those escorting her
will be sorry they’re so slow."

Dec 4th, 1098

Tiresias: A return Character

In this Episoda,the old wise Tiresias returns to warn Creon about his ways. This is another reminder about the wisdom possessed by the older characters who have previously witnessed such tragedies.

Dec 4th, 1200

Creon Realizes

Creon continues with the idea that everyone is against him and turns Tiresias away. Following confrontation by the Chorus, Creon realizes his immense mistake, and the plot turns.

Dec 4th, 1313

Another Character: Eurydice

At this point Haemon has killed himself over the sucide of Antigone and the Messenger says to the Chorus: "Consider what comes next." The Chorus imediately mentions Haemon's mother, Eurydice. Eurydice kills herself over the death of her son.

Dec 4th, 1371

CLIMAX OF ANTIGONE

The messenger recalls the suicide of Antigone and Haemon in the climax of the play.

Dec 4th, 1432

Creon to Messenger

Though Creon has realized his mistakes, he still shows signs of believing that everyone is agaist him as he blames the messenger for all of his misery.

Dec 4th, 1483

Wise words from the Chorus

The Chorus ( a frequent conveyer of themes) says
" Pray for nothing.
There’s no release for mortal human beings,
not from events which destiny has set. "
This reenforces the theme that destiny is set for mortal beings and we can not do anything about it.

Dec 4th, 1491

Chorus sums up Wisdom theme

At the end of the resolution, (resolution being the self discovery of Creons mistakes after he inadvertently destroyed his entire family) the Chorus reaffirms the theme that with old age comes wisdom.The recurring characters in Antigone are old and have also lived through Oedipus' tragedy. It is also implied that perhaps the position of leadership itself brings about such tragedy.